Not that long ago, my main priorities included binge drinking every weekend, looking good, and macking on pretty much every good looking girl I saw. I also wanted to be rich and to own lots of really impressive things. I was pretty tuned into that life and didn’t really think too much about how my actions affected the environment, people around the world, and the animals that we share the earth with. I was pretty selfish and if I did think about my actions I certainly didn’t do much about it. I did recycle, shut off the lights and water, and eat healthier than the average person I knew and I thought that was doing pretty good. But the list of negative environmental impacts was far greater than my positive impacts (which was nearly nonexistent). I owned two cars, shopped at Walmart for my food and my cheap crap, drank the cheapest beer I could find, took home my share of plastic bags, wasted plenty of water, ate too much meat, needed the newest gadgets always, and the list could go on and on. Not that any of these things are inherently bad but they definitely were not deeply serving myself or the earth.

Then reality hit in 2011. I became educated. I decided to act on that education.

I gave up on restrictive social norms and stigmas and embarked down a path of living for the benefit of the earth, my community, and myself. Here I share with you the timeline of my last four years of transformation from an environmental and social nuisance into being of benefit to the environment and society. I share this to give a real life example of transformation and to show you that no matter where you are today, you can lead a much more earth friendly lifestyle if you choose to. Most of the items on the timeline represent simple changes that you, or anyone, can take but remember that every life is unique and this is not designed for you to follow exactly. However, most of the things in here can be adapted into your life if you truly desire for them to.

For me it was all about taking it one step at a time and continuing that from week to week, month to month, and year to year. When I started this transformation I would have had a really hard time believing that I’d get to where I am today. The only way that I’ve made it here is by taking it gradually, setting little goals, and building on the momentum and excitement of each success. Then making those things habit.It wasn’t always easy but it has been extremely rewarding and fun. I am happier and healthier than ever before but most of all I am living with so much more purpose. I’m no longer causing reckless destruction to the earth, to innocent lives, or to my own life and that is a huge sigh of relief and really has me jumping for joy. I’m proud of it all and know that it has come by taking responsibility for my actions. I am proud that I know how my actions affect the world, both near and far. I am proud to be of benefit to the earth and society.

Here is my timeline. May it serve you well.

2005-2009 Went to UW-La Crosse for Biology but focused on beer, women, and fun mostly. I also traveled the country and the world quite a bit, worked really hard during the summers, and developed substantially as a human. I was driven to be successful and was, but I left the environment on the wayside and thought mostly about myself. I wanted to be a millionaire.

01/2010 – 05/2010Traveled around the world and gained an appreciation for how diverse and immense the world is and a desire to protect it.

10/2011 Left my homeland of Wisconsin indefinitely

01/2011 Moved to San Diego, California where I met more open minded people

02/2012 Decided to take action on what I learned and began a transformation into a healthier, more natural lifestyle and refused to make bad influences on earth. There was no moment of clarity or significant occurrence, just a realization through education that my simple daily actions were causing a lot of destruction to the earth, to fellow humans both near and far, and to the creatures that I share the earth with.

Stopped using one time use anything’s like paper towels, tin foil, and plastic bags

Greatly reduced my alcohol intake

03/2012 Pulled my money out of investments that had any involvement in businesses that do harm to the environment. Started to question whether I wanted to pursue making lots of money and paying taxes that contribute to war.

05/2012Sold my car, bought a bike, and started using car2go electric car share program. By getting rid of my car I found that my consumerism became much more responsible. It was no longer as easy to go out and buy crap and I no longer had a trunk to put the crap in. I started purchasing less stuff, shopping local, and supporting ethical businesses.

06/2012 Inspired greatly by One Percent for the Planet I began using business as a means to help improve the world around me. I began transforming my business so that every aspect was a part of the solution, not the problem. Projects I started included a community bike program, trash cleanups, and energy efficient light bulb exchanges. Around this time is when I really started to find purpose in giving back to others.

06/2012Got a vasectomy so that I could dedicate my time on Earth to the masses, rather than raising my own child and also to set an example of a man taking responsibility for birth control. (I know this one is extreme. This was a very personal decision and is not something I’m out advocating for others to do. I do highly advocate being responsible and taking having a child very, very seriously though.)

07/2012 Took my first long distance cycling trip and during that trip furthered my Earth friendly diet by:

11/2013Moved into a 6×6 closet in my own home to live rent free. Got rid of nearly half of my personal possessions.

11/2013 Left my phone at home for Thanksgiving. This was my first time leaving my phone off and at home while in my own town (not camping, in Mexico, etc.). I had realized how addicted I was to my phone.

04/2015 Over the prior years I had been running a successful business and had saved up a fair amount of money. I donated all but $15,000 to good causes and committed to earning no more than $15,000 per year or owning more than $15,000 in possessions and $15,000 in assets. This is to keep my focus away from money now and in the future and to keep my focus on the beauties of life that are freely available to us all. See my vows here.

It’s been a wonderful life so far and the last four years of transformation have absolutely been the most meaningful years of all. At this point I feel like I have made most of the changes necessary to live for the benefit of the earth, my community and myself. However, each day I gain more knowledge and with that will be taking even more responsibility for my life. I encourage you to follow your dreams but at the same time live for the benefit all.

01/2016 Auctioned off my tiny house after living in it for a year and raised $10,000 to build 10 tiny houses for people living on the streets in San Diego. Each house will cost about $1,000 to build and a tiny house community is in the works.

07/2016 Furthered my commitment to living simply and my dedication to living in the service of humanity and Earth. I vowed to donate 100% of my media income to nonprofits, to make no more than $5,000 per year to have no more $5,000 in possessions and $5,000 in money. See my updated vows.

That's about as much detail as I can go into for this post but possibly for another one I can give more detail. I wouldn't want it to get too long for people to want to read.
To answer your question:
I'm on my computer and connected to wifi at the house that I'm staying at.
But there are many ways to access the internet both with your own computer or with a shared computer.
-The library (with a personal or shared computer)
-Internet cafes
-Share a computer with friends or family
-At a school or business
Th point of this long response is to point out that we don't all need our own computer and it's more than fine to share!

So impressive. You continue to inspire me greatly. My New Year's Resolution was to create less trash and I do feel I am much more conscious of this because of reading your stories. Thank you very much Rob.

True inspiration my friend! I've done small time frames of zero waste, no money, eating for free from food lines who usually have mostly organic foods, have no vehicle, no cell phone bill anymore since installed Magic App a free phone app, I went for 6 months living with no gas and cooked on a rocket stove as well as heated water that way. Went for 2-3 months no electricity as well while living without gas. Have been collecting organic seeds from all organic foods I eat personally and growing food year round indoor during winter months and transfer it out to the garden in spring and summer. Composting and up cycling plastic bottles into self watering planters and seed starters. Experimenting with alternative heat sources and rain water collecting and purifying, and so much more!!! But you're still way ahead of me!!!

Good for you Rob! A memoir summary maybe?! I respect and appreciate your "sacrifices" that are a great blessing to you and me! Dreaming and planning to live off the grid! Facebook page? Would love pics of the tinny house! Since you grow your own food check out Larry Hall YouTube channel! Self watering kiddy pool system. It will blow your socks off, well if you still wear socks 😉 love and hugs!

Dude! You be healing it!!! I was also drunk dude for many years! Scaling down now, moving into a shipping container home, building some aquaponics on the property soon, and participating in food sovreignty movement on the sunshine coast, bc where I live. We need to eliminate our participation in the oppression of the south! <3 Keep up the good work legend, you set a really epic bar to meet! <3

A great service you could do for yourself and others might be to take a permaculture design course (PDC) If you do a little research I bet you will find it in alignment with your values and goals. It was an amazingly enriching and life altering experience for me and I have a similar story to you. Blessings on the path!

dude. get your head out of your butthole. the point is to take contraceptive responsibility into male hands as opposed to female. condoms and more mainstream forms of contraception (that you are probably referring to) still create risk for women because pregnancy can still happen if a condom breaks, birth control pills dont work correctly, leakage, etc. Rob getting a vasectomy eliminates the stress put on the woman/women he sleeps with, even when contraception is involved.

I find myself to be in a similar path right now. A little while ago I still cared a lot about posessions. I was a bit of a hoarder, really. But I became homeless recently, and all of the stuff I still have is at my boyfriend's place. I'm giving away and throwing out a lot of it, so that all that's left are some basic things. I want to get it all down to one backpack, so that I can live out of it and start traveling the world 🙂 I've also decided to not ever buy meat again and to try and live off of the edible plants I can find. I don't know enough plants yet, so I still need to buy food, but I'm getting there. Good luck on your path, Rob. I hope I'll meet you some day 🙂

I find myself to be in a similar path right now. A little while ago I still cared a lot about posessions. I was a bit of a hoarder, really. But I became homeless recently, and all of the stuff I still have is at my boyfriend's place. I'm giving away and throwing out a lot of it, so that all that's left are some basic things. I want to get it all down to one backpack, so that I can live out of it and start traveling the world 🙂 I've also decided to not ever buy meat again and to try and live off of the edible plants I can find. I don't know enough plants yet, so I still need to buy food, but I'm getting there. Good luck on your path, Rob. I hope I'll meet you some day 🙂

Hey Rob:
Thank you for the inspiration and for your courage.
I am on a similar path and I have not dumped all the attributes of indentured servants – just some of them
No car, mostly getting around by bike, healthy diet, no alcohol, no TV, all that and more – yes and I still have too much stuff and carry debt.

Since you seem to be travelling, do you have plans to visit the East Coast? Would relish the opportunity to talk in person.

Inspiring! My mind has become opened to the bigger picture of earth, togetherness, and greedy controling institutions and corperations. I want to live a simple life and help heal people holistically/ancient medicine. But i have 2 small children and stuck or afraid because of the role society has conditioned me to be and the things we "need" to have as a family. How can a mom transform herself and family?

I am impressed. I don't know if I can make a change like that. I am 60, and my husband was born with cerebral palsy. He has to use a walker. I don't think we can downsize like could if we were younger. I have made my own difference. My daughters friends Were all my "kids". Our home was the one in the neighborhood that all the kids congregated. Rescued kids & cats for the last 20 years. Took in a family of 5 plus 2 dogs for almost 1 year after Hurricane Katrina. Our house was damaged, not destroyed. Lost our home to Bank of Scumbag to legal theft. My husband lost his job to the office bully, and his body not being able to withstand a 40 hour work week. He got his SSDI. So we are lucky. I know I can implement a lot of your changes. I will start slow. Dude, I wish I could go the whole enchilada. I will perfect my world as much as I can. Peace, Jan

Rob, Rob, Rob….I am so highly impressed by your personal transformation that I am feeling giddy. Literally. I observe what so many say and are doing that is not only destructive to people and to animals, but to the earth as well and it sickens me on a daily basis. Sometimes the level of depravity and "conscienceless" living is so overwhelming that it's terribly disillusioning. However, reading the details of your relatively expedient transformation is incredibly inspiring. Your story will inevitably encourage and motivate others to wake up as you have. I know this journey well. Why? Because I began my own just 8 years ago. I was already 50 years old when the deep realization of the "truth" hit me. I thought that I was already an educated, elightened, evolved person, but once you actually "wake up" to the reality of what's happening on this planet, you realize just how naive you have been. I just wanted to give you the recognition that you deserve for making this huge change. Well done, my dear young man. And, welcome to the "real world." 😉

Phenomenal lifestyle change! Highly commendable for your switch in choices. If only all humyns could care to alter even a fraction of your practices, this world would shift drastically.
Care to point out, that tin foil and plastic bags can and should be used over… and over… AND OVER again. Personally reuse the tin foil that covers the oven baked veggie dishes literally until it crinkles into a crisp burnt former fragment. But appreciate your view sharing 'cause it may just make people rethink who don't reuse.
Carry on, Mister! You're inspiring. 🙂

I remain an unbeliever, Rob. This country, indeed the world, affords middle-class, college-educated White people, who have "traveled the world," infinitely more leeway to live detached from society. I think we both know what I, as a Black man, would be called if I deigned to live as you do: a vagrant, and then an inmate. That's the truth, and we both know it. But hey, go on and enjoy.

Wow, you just dove into that. I was watching some movie on TV about poor strife in Nicaragua, and a few rich american kids were on there awestruck by what they've experienced. They were tourists in their culture, and shocked by it. That is because they don't belong there. People of the world live the way they do, because that's how they like it. If they wanted a change, they would change. The problem arises from arrogant self-righteous Americans judging what they see as "sad and awful" and thinking themselves gross and opulant, believing they must reconcile their countries differences to feel like they've made a difference. America has had a strange development for the last 300 years. But, we are different than all others; is that good or bad, I don't know, probably bad, but we're different nonetheless. And if we as Americans disappeared tomorrow, Nicaragua would still be there, and it's people money poor. Same goes for Africa, and the middle east. These civilizations have been around for thousands of years, and lived the way they do because they have no ambition. Their governments are awful, and their people are not organized. That's how real change comes about; not rich kids handing nails to carpenters in Nicaragua so they can come back to the us with excellent resume material and stories of their "personal awakening." This guy is not making a difference; he's a homeless man. Obama is making a difference, mark Zuckerberg is making a difference, us congress is making a difference, nasa is making a difference, hell, drug cartels are making a difference. This guy is disappearing. Seemingly, you made good choices, but in reality, you like feeling like Jesus. Just join the cloth, man. There's a new pope, it will be great. humans have these things which you have just expelled from your life because they enrich our lives, not because we are selfish and think little of other cultures. A shower, air conditioning, grocery stores, condoms, gas range, ovens, SUV's, boots, hospitals, telephones, flushing toilets, fucking electricity! These things are great, and the way of the hippie is not. Enjoy living like a Nicaraguan in California, and I'll enjoy living like an American in America. You see, America has problems – huge problems – but the answer is forward and up, not backward and down. Elon Tusk is excellent. Sustainable electricity, renewable resources, end of oil dependence, community intelligence trades, free education for all through the Internet, space exploration, et cetera. Can't do any of that with your nut sack clipped, living in a van down by the river. You are misguided, my boy. It isn't too late, however. Soon you will be too old to survive like this, or sick. Get it together, and reverse the damage. The only reason I said anything, is that you potentially could talk the next young and impressionable Nikola tesla into living in a box and eating recycled shoe leather. We need excellence, not more homeless.

I have been weaning off too many gadgets. I got rid of my phone and am down to just my computer. I will continue to use this as it is an excellent tool for knowledge and spreading good. I'm not against technology but I am really for responsible technology and sharing it.

It is counterproductive to the planet for thinking responsible people to choose to not have children. Because the thoughless irresponsibles of the world are reproducing en masse!! – a former schoolteacher

It is counterproductive to the planet for thinking responsible people to choose to not have children. Because the thoughless irresponsibles of the world are reproducing en masse!! – a former schoolteacher

I really appreciate your progress and the sharing of it. By doing so many things fairly completely, you are pushing out the bookends of normal-ness and giving us inspiration and room to expand our own progress in these good directions. Thanks for setting an example and sharing how to do it and how it feels. One way to share it with another wide audience is via posting how-to instructions on instructables.com I've posted one on Dumpster Dipping that has >50k views.

I really appreciate your progress and the sharing of it. By doing so many things fairly completely, you are pushing out the bookends of normal-ness and giving us inspiration and room to expand our own progress in these good directions. Thanks for setting an example and sharing how to do it and how it feels. One way to share it with another wide audience is via posting how-to instructions on instructables.com I've posted one on Dumpster Dipping that has >50k views.

Hi Hayley!
I don't have a religion and I don't subscribe to anything that claims that everything else is wrong. As far as spirituality goes, I don't know what that word really means. I don't spend too much time thinking about what most consider spirituality though. I spend my time on nature- some would consider that spiritual.

I think this post is very important to show that it's a process not an overnight transformation. That is so much more realistic and encouraging to those of us who also want to make meaningful changes. This way we don't give up. Enjoy your posts…thank-you for sharing your life journey and inspiring others…

I think this post is very important to show that it's a process not an overnight transformation. That is so much more realistic and encouraging to those of us who also want to make meaningful changes. This way we don't give up. Enjoy your posts…thank-you for sharing your life journey and inspiring others…

I've watched your video and read through your process but the one thing I've not seen mentioned is how you obtained a plot of land in which to call your home base for your trailer and kitchen set up??? Is this area on the property in someone you know? Was it a plot of land in which you purchased? Can you tell me how you came up with this piece of property in which to go "off the grid"???

I've watched your video and read through your process but the one thing I've not seen mentioned is how you obtained a plot of land in which to call your home base for your trailer and kitchen set up??? Is this area on the property in someone you know? Was it a plot of land in which you purchased? Can you tell me how you came up with this piece of property in which to go "off the grid"???

Hey bro, how's it? Love your path man, great stuff! I hitch hiked coast to coast in Canada ( about 7,000 miles) on zero dollars, time of my life!I'm from New Zealand and even though we have a great image of being clean, green and environmentally friendly, we suck, especially for the size of our very small population! I admire all the great people in your country growing TruGanic TM (organic food with integrity) and inventions/concepts in living naturally. If you ever make it down here let me know and I will help you out.
Hey one point I would like to offer you is, even though I can be extreme and like to share my knowledge, sometimes it's just too hard out for people! The dumpster diving is fine when your doing it cause your in the moment and can sus out wither it's safe to eat. For some people reading what you did it will put them off as already your story is out there, it can be just too much for some to handle and then taint what you are trying to achieve, which clearly you are already doing well. Even if you put in brackets next to it that you checked all the food was safe and the bin was clean, was from the back of an expensive restaurant etc?
I believe inspiring people should include as many as one can without putting some completely off. There, bla bla, hope that was some sort of help even though it was unsolicited. Much respect for you bro, take care and "keep going"!

You have done such amazing things Rob! You give me such perspective. I will never think our 900 sf house as too small again. My question is where do you have your home? Did you purchase land? Do you have property tax? Just wondering how you work around that.Thanks!

You have done such amazing things Rob! You give me such perspective. I will never think our 900 sf house as too small again. My question is where do you have your home? Did you purchase land? Do you have property tax? Just wondering how you work around that.Thanks!

This is a one person story basically, but I am wondering how to build a community based on similar principles. Obviously, a self sustaining community needs more than just adventurers, the grocery store dumpsters and all serve a good evidence to that; so I guess it is important to do a lot of tailor in terms of life principles. But I am certain that it is possible to bring a community to a self-sustaining life cycle, of course under specific conditions (not excluding climatic)

This is a one person story basically, but I am wondering how to build a community based on similar principles. Obviously, a self sustaining community needs more than just adventurers, the grocery store dumpsters and all serve a good evidence to that; so I guess it is important to do a lot of tailor in terms of life principles. But I am certain that it is possible to bring a community to a self-sustaining life cycle, of course under specific conditions (not excluding climatic)

Hit home. Sobered up myself in 2011 , became fascinated w/ renewable energy, infuriate my friends w/ constant conversation related to documentaries I've watched and want to share. Grew up as a military brat allowing me to see many different cultures. Will be looking up some of your steps. God bless and continue sharing!

My brother is following your path and making our family be a lot more environmentally conscious. We now have a permaculture set in our garden and most of foods and products we use are environmentally friendly. How did you do to adopt a zero water lifestyle though?

Rob, this is how I want to live, but am afraid to go all the way. Instead, I dabble with certain elements. I wish I lived closer to other people like you who live this way instead of supporting the insane unsustainable and unfulfilling material system. I really want to cut the cord. Please keep doing what you do as you are a breath of fresh air to me as I am surrounded by people who think I am the crazy one for even suggesting co-housing, composting and collecting rain water!

Just started following you. So inspiring! As a single mother with a lot of school debt however, I struggle with the best way to live as simply as I can while still fulfilling my duties and enjoying my child.

A question. Harbor Freight tools has very Good prices on solar panels and inverters. The question is who has a simple plan that's easy to follow and do it yourself to convert a small shed plan to run lights and small ac unit and minnie refrigerator. I find most solar companies kits far over priced and to fond of using technology terminology in describing their products. I want a smple connect a to be to c.

Very selfish of you. You could be helping more people by making more money. You could be contributing more and creating businesses to educate people and liberate their minds from societal programming. Think of all the technology that you could have invested in and brought to the masses delayed and gone because of your current thought process. You're letting down humanity and the Earth in a tremendous way Sir. You have limited your influence.

Rob Greenfield is "letting down humanity and the Earth in a tremendous way" ??? Chris Rodriguez, whatever you are doing for a living, stop now….and become a comedian. Because that was seriously one of the funniest things I've read in awhile.

I don't know, I have mix feelings reading this article. I really think it is great all waht you acomplished for yourself…you are probably a better perosn to talk too than the 2005 version, whish is true in a lot of people…I admire your determination ,and in a way find it extreme…it is never to extreme what we can do for the environment and planet…but I kind of feel that this is still a lot about you and yourself…and that you may be should be a little more gentle with yourself, there is no hero in leaving in what ever few square feet…and this is a lot of you provingyourself….why not but you might be able with this tremendous energy to do much more for otheres than that..may be 2016 should be less focus on you….!! don't read that as i am being mean, it's hard to transalte in writing my feelings, but i am amzed of what you intend and your concern..really…

Thank you for the timeline… Shows how baby steps lead to great achievements. I’m a 56 year old mother, grand mother, widow and former lawyer/biz exec. I sold/gave away 90% of my stuff, including my house, and moved to the mountains of NC where I’m building a small (not “tiny”) cabin. I consult for a local community college and am working on my 2nd novel. I’m learning to live with less so I can enjoy more; your inspirational story adding fuel to my tank. Thank you for making a difference in this ol’ gal’s life!

I struggle with wanting to do this and raising my family. I am married to someone who finds this to be wacky thought, impractical and we just aren’t on the same page. But thank you so much for doing what you do and sharing it with us. It inspires me to get creative and find ways. Albiet perhaps sneaky but purposeful. <3 this and appreciate folks such as yourself. Namaste Dude.

First of all, thank you so much for sharing this with us Rob! What a amazing journey you’ve had so far, really impressive how you have changed your life radically. I have been going through(and still are)a very similar process but I feel somehow “stuck” at the moment, I guess its because Im still afraid of what is going to happen to me if I leave certain comfortable habits behind. And I guess thats what hold many of us back from doing what we really want to, and we spend much time focusing on what people around us may think. But the fact is that its all yours, youre the one creating these “issues”, when you realize that everything changes. Anyway, keep inspiring the world and share from experiences from your life. Its so nice to see that there are other humanbeings out there who want to make a change and stop living solely for survival and their personal needs.

I just don’t understand how you have somewhere to stay (the house you refer to) without paying out some sort of money. In my life, I’ve had to work in order to pay rent because I am not willing to perform services on a male just for a place to stay. In Canada, it is simply not practical to live in a tent or other improvised shelter.its cold here. So I just continue to work a job I hate like a chump, because the thought of being a sexual slave (a wife) is much worse than what I’m doing now.